GREEN PARTY leader John Gormley last night acknowledged that the Civil Partnership Bill will bestow limited rights on gay couples and will not satisfy everyone. Launching the "Pride 08" festival in Dublin, Mr Gormley hinted at differences between Fianna Fáil and the Greens in his address and admitted the Bill would be delayed.
"We accept that the rights bestowed by civil partnerships are limited and that the forthcoming legislation will not satisfy everyone. . .
"In light of the current make-up of the Dáil, where the two largest parties oppose marriage equality, we genuinely believe that legislating now for civil partnerships is the best way of recognising and protecting the thousands of same-sex relationships in the State."
Civil partnership was "not the full equality we are seeking, but it is a step towards full equality," Mr Gormley said.
He said it would nevertheless be "of real practical value in itself and will make a real difference to the daily lives of many people in committed relationships".
Mr Gormley said the work on the Bill had been "demanding and painstaking".
"Rather than push ahead regardless, we felt it was better to delay publication and try to ensure the best outcome. We feel it is better to get something done right than done quickly," he added.
It is understood the delays relate to the complexity of the Bill and some outstanding differences between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil over the question of gay partnerships. The parties are said to disagree on how strong the rights for same-sex couples should be in the legislation.
The Department of Justice was not in a position last night to confirm whether or not the draft legislation will be ready by summer.
The Bill was included in the programme for government at the insistence of the Greens. At a joint press conference last October, Ministers from the two main Coalition parties promised the draft heads of the Bill would be published by the end of March.
The Department of Justice last night attributed the delay to the complicated nature of the legislation.
"The Attorney General [Paul Gallagher SC] has given advice to the Department of Justice which includes very detailed views in relation to the proposed legislation. It is currently being examined by the department," he said.
It is understood that the examination of the proposed legislation by the Attorney General's office has generated a lot of material of a more complex nature than had been anticipated.
Sources in Government last night said that the change of Government personnel had also had an effect, with the new Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, being appointed only two weeks ago.
In the course of his remarks on the Bill last night Mr Gormley said the theme of this year's Dublin Pride festival: "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride" was "particularly well chosen".
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